Tour Saint Peter Catholic Church
| TOUR HOME | MAIN CHURCH | POPE JOHN PAUL II SCULPTURE | ST. FAUSTINA ROOM | KOLBE HALL |
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Joyful Mother/Pope John Paul II Sculpture
This is a picture of the Joyful Mother/Pope John Paul II sculpture taken shortly after the late Holy Father's death. The faithful spontaneously placed flowers, candles, letters, and pictures beside the image of Pope John Paul II as a memorial. Every now and then, flowers or a candle will still appear on the sculpture's platform.
LETTER FROM THE LATE FATHER GERALD FISHER ON THE INSPIRATION FOR
JOYFUL MOTHER SCULPTURE
Several weeks ago I mentioned that the 100th Anniversary Celebration of our parish church will likely have in place a wonderful art piece donated by the Z boys: Edwin Zagrzebski and Humphrey Zagzebski. Edwin first spoke to me of his willingness to give toward a new statue of Mary that might be a focal point in the garden area between the church and the rectory. Later, Humphrey expressed his desire to join in the project.
As our discussions grew we all felt that something really special should be place in this sacred spot. The Z boys agreed with my suggestion that a truly original sculpture ought to be created for this special place. The Z brothers wanted to join forces and donate this statuary to the parish in memory of their deceased wives.
While reading the Encyclical Letter, The Gospel of Life, by Pope John Paul II, I was touched by the beautiful words:
The joy which accompanies the birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfillment of joy at every child born into the world.
What a wonderful notion, that the joy, which accompanied the Birth of Christ, should be the same joy accompanying the birth of every child born into this world!
Through the Conrad Schmidt Studios we were put in contact with Livio Conta, a famous Italian sculptor who appreciated the ideas we wanted translated into bronze. Our major concern was to bring out the joy of motherhood as seen in Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church.
This concept was also to include two major events: the visit of the then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, primate of Poland, to our parish in 1976 and the 100th anniversary of the church of St. Peter.
The text on the statue's granite base reads as follows:
Joyful Mother
The joy which accompanies the birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfillment of joy at every child born into the world.
The Gospel of Life Pope John Paul II
Commemorating
The visit of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla to the Church of St. Peter
August 23, 1976
The One Hundredth Anniversary of the Church of St Peter
1897 - 1997
Given in memory of Alice Turzinski Zagrzebski _ 1995
&
Helen Rogowski Zagzebski _ 1994
By their spouses
Edwin R. Zagrzebski & Humphrey J. Zagzebski
Peace and love,
Father Gerald Fisher